Why I’m leaving the Rivian Family After Owning / Leasing 3 R1Ts

[captainjp]

These posts are amazing....

People come in to make sure ALL of us know they're leaving, even though we have no idea who they are.

Then, we find out the majority of their issues are user error.

Good riddance…

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[RivAW]

All good.
IMO any reasoning that either a BMW or VW vehicle (Scout) will be "dependable" is highly questionable
Individual experience varies though. Coming from a long line of Toyotas, that's what I would go back to if I decided to shift away from EV. I have had zero issues with my 2023 Quad R1T. Although I'm signed up for an R2 test drive this week, I am likely to disregard my order invite unless/until a 3 motor variant is released

 

[Gen(R3)Xer]

Makes valid sense, given your experiences.

I have had 2 R1Ts and never had issues on the beach (maybe 30 excursions). Have hauled several other ICE vehicles out. I'm not a serious off-roader and I imagine that not all sand is the same.

We have towed a few thousand miles with it and have no complaints other than I miss the max pack in our first R1T.

Warning: Bit of a rant follows. Hoping someone at Rivian might listen.

I'm also a stockholder and believe in the states vision of Rivian. Somewhat disappointed that they have come up short. Understanding that profitability = survival, I do still think they make short-sighted decisions that damage their long-term success, brand reputation, and customer loyalty. Examples include their failure to admit those fancy door handles are a mistake that are worse in every way to proven technology, obstinate refusal to support CarPlay/Android Auto (instead forcing their customers to use a faulty proprietary infotainment stack), 2 failed attempts at voice assistants, a focus on self-driving to the exclusion of basic software quality, and zero support for owner right to repair. Clearly, this is just the start of a long list.

Haven't had serious issues with either vehicle, but cannot say that the SV experience has been a joy lately. Again, bad short+sighted decision ultimately damaging the brand.

I'm not sure how many others experience that "will it decide not to run today" anxiety that causes.me.to keep a second vehicle around. They have not programmed the vehicles to fail gracefully. 12v low = shutdown. Any 1 sensor bad = complete refusal to operate. Any antenna module has a failure = you may not enter the truck by any means.

Having ranted, we still love the truck and hope to keep it forever. In spite of flaws in the product and company, it is still the best vehicle I have owned in 45 years of driving. It does just about everything I need and doesn't ruin our planet. Just kind of frustrating that somethings it does so much worse than vehicles 20 years older.

I entirely understand your perspective and respect your decision.

It seems like Rivian has addressed some of these issues with the R2, but it’s still early days. I’m sure they’ll take what they’ve learned and revamp the R1 line. Question is how long will that take?

Also, unfortunately, no Rivian employees are listening or taking notes on this forum. It’s more for owners to come and share their experiences or third-parties to sell their wares. Rivian Chief Software Officer Wassym Bensaid does monitor Rivian’s Reddit pages though.

 

[Morgan J]

Do you mean a hybrid X5 as the EV version won't be in the states for about a year. Also the Scout is a Rivian from a tech perspective so after your experience I would imagine that is off the table too.

Good luck

 

[Morgan J]

Yes, I'm going to wait for the 2028 X4 All Electric -- has hands free driving, etc... Won't get a SCOUT although the SUV looks awesome. Will then get a used Tacoma for beach driving. Just need to get to August 2027.

 

[Morgan J]

It seems like Rivian has addressed some of these issues with the R2, but it’s still early days. I’m sure they’ll take what they’ve learned and revamp the R1 line. Question is how long will that take?

Also, unfortunately, no Rivian employees are listening or taking notes on this forum. It’s more for owners to come and share their experiences or third-parties to sell their wares. Rivian Chief Software Officer Wassym Bensaid does monitor Rivian’s Reddit pages though.

Good to know. I drove the R2 -- they removed much of the tech from the launch edition. The didn't improve battery charger for iPhone. No Universal Hands Free until upgrade. Weird stuff. And Hey Rivian is a disaster.

 

[Morgan J]

All good.
IMO any reasoning that either a BMW or VW vehicle (Scout) will be "dependable" is highly questionable
Individual experience varies though. Coming from a long line of Toyotas, that's what I would go back to if I decided to shift away from EV. I have had zero issues with my 2023 Quad R1T. Although I'm signed up for an R2 test drive this week, I am likely to disregard my order invite unless/until a 3 motor variant is released

Agree re: Scout - but I never had issues with my BMW or Tacomas -- the BMW EV with universal hands free AND CarPlay looks amazing. I'd rather take my risk with that EV.

 

[Gen(R3)Xer]

That fair, I do worry that some day they will sell off the R1&2 lines and just focus on software. Its a much simpler business.

I think they want to be as vertically integrated a company as possible by creating their own hardware and software (expanded Illinois plant, new Georgia plant, RAP1 chipset, etc.) This way they’re not as impacted by unstable markets, supply chains, and revolving administrations and policies. At the same time they do seem to be interested in selling their electrical architecture and software to competitors (VW). At this point whatever makes them financially stable is what they’re going to do, but I don’t think they’re going to go completely software-based anytime soon.

Tesla thought it was going to do the same thing with AI and it’s certainly worth pursuing, but not at the expense of bringing in profit from their existing products that keeps the whole thing going. It’s going to be a long transition in my opinion.

 

[SANZC02]

In 3.5 years and 53k miles my R1S has been pretty solid. I’ve had a couple of issues but never had an issue that left the vehicle undriveable.

I’ve had it on 4 trips over 6500 miles including the 6500 mile maiden voyage after my factory delivery. It has been a great road trip vehicle for me and I have no concerns taking it on the road.

Because of my positive experience with the R1S we are adding an R2 to the household later this afternoon that eventually will replace the Tesla Model S.

 

[lefkonj]

Yes, I'm going to wait for the 2028 X4 All Electric -- has hands free driving, etc... Won't get a SCOUT although the SUV looks awesome. Will then get a used Tacoma for beach driving. Just need to get to August 2027.

We have owned a I4M50 for almost 4 years, love that thing. When they update it will most likely update ours. For now our Rivian though will stay as we are loving it and having a great experience. Best of luck

 

[Zoidz]

All good.
IMO any reasoning that either a BMW or VW vehicle (Scout) will be "dependable" is highly questionable
Individual experience varies though.

My Rivian R1S has been more dependable and trouble-free than any of my 5 BMWs.

 

[Zathras]

Yea, us up here where it snows don't get much choice. I already have rust showing on my truck despite being only 22mo since delivery. Salt/Sand/Moisture is a recipe for destroying a vehicle.

Another reason I migrated to California from Missouri. The last week I was there was a massive ice storm crushed two cars just outside my apartment. Luckily, mine survived.

 

[lefkonj]

Several sources indicated the 2027 iX5 (ev) will be available here this fall, manufactured in Spartanburg ....we'll see

Interesting everything I read says Q1 2027 but you never know.

 

[mkhuffman]

Interesting everything I read says Q1 2027 but you never know.

Don't worry. He will be backing his Rivian into Cadillacs for another two years before he starts doing it in a BMW.

 

[R1TCntrlMaIzzy]

Don't worry. He will be backing his Rivian into Cadillacs for another two years before he starts doing it in a BMW.

Not his fault, just like tank turn should work on the sand. HA!

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